10 Days!

Hello all. I finished my last full on "training ride" yesterday feeling strong as ever. I averaged 24mph on the straights and scaled up hills w/o a problem. I'll be doing light rides this week to stay loose and keep out of the red zone. I sometimes wonder if I'll spend more time eating or biking on this ride.lol

As we draw closer to the start of this ride, I feel like we have already brought a tight community of amazing individuals closer together on this brief journey of life. Emily Dickinson said life is made up of a series of "nows." This fundraiser has taught me to focus on the nows more often, the most important people in our journey are the ones here with us right now.

Who/what deserves our attention most right now? There are many burn survivors who need support right now, there are many people who will become burn survivors later this year. The Phoenix Society fills an important space in our world in in the lives of our fellow brothers and sisters on our little planet. Healthcare systems are amazing in what they can do but there are still some imperfections, as there will always be with any large system. Correcting these imperfections is where the Phoenix Society is needed and is valued. We are not futile in our work, we are promoting change in a world that yields most difficultly to change.

Please show your support for us, every penny is a ray of hope to a burn survivor, and every kind word is spiritual nourishment.

"Imagine there's no Heaven It's easy if you try No hell below us Above us only sky Imagine all the people Living for today Imagine there's no countries It isn't hard to do Nothing to kill or die for And no religion too Imagine all the people Living life in peace You may say that I'm a dreamer But I'm not the only one I hope someday you'll join us And the world will be as one Imagine no possessions I wonder if you can No need for greed or hunger A brotherhood of man Imagine all the people Sharing all the world You may say that I'm a dreamer But I'm not the only one I hope someday you'll join us And the world will live as one." - John Lennon

Have a great "NOW."

-Mike

Burn Survivor Story: Frank McGonagle.

(Courtesy of the Phoenix Society and Steve Lobel, author of "Recognition Beyond Burned: Portraits of Survival, Rebirth & Hope")

Today I’m one of the luckiest guys alive. I’ve been married for nearly thirty years to my lovely wife, Arlene. I have five children and eleven grandchildren. I’m co-owner of a successful television production business. Life is very good. But it hasn’t always been this way.

On February 18, 1966, I stopped at a light in my little TR4 sports car about three miles from home. Suddenly a speeding driver came out of nowhere, rear-ending me and setting my car on fire. In an instant I lost my hair, scalp and ears as well as skin from other parts of my body. But these losses were small compared to my real loss. My wife of twelve years, Charlotte, mother of our four young children and our unborn child of seven months, died in the exploding wreck. If it weren’t for the courage of three young men who pulled me from the flaming car, I too would have perished.

After about three months in a local hospital I returned home to care for my four children. The next few years found me back in the hospital for some ten reconstructive surgeries. Eventually life became somewhat normal again.

Nevertheless, for a long time afterward I was haunted by the idea that I did not rescue my wife. I realized it didn’t make sense. I was on fire and didn’t even know what had hit us, but somehow I felt guilty for not getting her out before the car exploded.

While these horrible guilt feelings lessened over time, every now and then they would rise to torture me. That was until 2004, when I acted on advice I heard at two Phoenix Society World Burn Congresses, from Dr. Fred Luskin’s inspiring talks on forgiveness. His message stimulated me to seek out the man who rear-ended me in 1966 and forgive him. We met in a local church and talked for only fifteen minutes. He told me he was so racked with guilt he had never driven again in all those years.

After that, I came to the realization that if I could forgive the man who killed my wife, I could also forgive myself. The weight of my guilt lifted and I have not felt a twinge of it since.

My name is Frank McGonagle.

Show Us the Money (Please!)

Mike will be "feeling the burn" as he rides across the country. His goal is to inspire anyone who reads his story to raise $100,000 to help burn survivors. All money raised will be donated to the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors. The Phoenix Society For Burn Survivors based in Grand Rapid, Michigan was named editor’s choice by Self Magazine as one of the most fiscally responsible non-profits of the year. That means your donations will go as far as possible helping the people who really need your financial support!

The Phoenix Society has created a homepage for "Feel The Burn 2007" HERE. If you are interested in sponsoring, donating, or just want more information about the program or the Phoenix Society itself, please check the site out.

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jeff Derderian/Community Volunteer

Phone number: (401) 441-7823
jeffderderian @ hotmail . com

Firefighter Gears Up for Cross-County Bicycle Trek for Burn Survivors

Quincy native to bike from Boston to San Jose to raise national awareness

EDITOR’S NOTES:

• Interview/Photo Opportunity – Interviews with Mike Manning call (401) 441-7823
• Photos available at www.feeltheburn2007.blogspot.com

Boston, Massachusetts----May 8, 2007----What uses two tires, has two powerful legs, an enormous heart and enough passion to pedal 3,100 miles? Quincy, Massachusetts native - now a Germantown, Ohio Firefighter - Mike Manning kicks off his inspiring cross-country bicycle ride called "Feel the Burn 07" from Shriners Hospitals for Children in Boston at 10:00am on May 8th, 2007.

Mike will ride from Boston, to San Jose, California to help raise awareness for all of the tremendous efforts that go into supporting burn survivors from first responders including firefighters and medical teams to aftercare resources and peer support groups.

Mike has set a goal of raising $100,000 for burn survivors. "As a first responder, I have always wanted to find a big way to be part of a burn survivor's recovery and I thought a cross country bike ride starting from Boston would bring attention and support to the entire network of people who help burn survivors every day in their recovery," Manning said. "The physical challenges of getting ready for something like this have been nearly unbearable at times, to the point of total exhaustion, but, I'm ready for the challenge and I hope the general public and my brother and sister firefighters will help support me in any way they can." In making this ride, Mike is also hoping to gain a better understanding, in a small way, of what a burn survivor goes through by challenging his own body and spirit.

The kick-off of Mike's ride will occur at Shriners Hospital for Children at 10:00am (51 Blossom Street) and end on or about June 22nd at the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center Regional Burn Center. Mike already has support from the Boston Firefighters Burn Foundation and many other fire departments across the country. Members of the Boston Fire Department will be on hand at Shriners for Mike's send off. Mike will be staying at 40-fire houses along his route to avoid using donation money for food and lodging. In addition, Mike will be supplying his equipment and repair kit to help keep his bike motoring down the road.

All the monies raised by Mike will benefit the work of The Phoenix-Society for Burn Survivors, based in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors is the leading national nonprofit organization with a 30-year history of empowering anyone affected by a burn injury through peer support, education and advocacy. The Phoenix-Society has partnered with survivors, families, healthcare professionals, burn centers and the fire industry to prevent burn injuries, support recovery and improve the quality of care. The Society is committed to advancing recovery resources, providing environments to renew the spirit and supporting a positive return to life.

“Though a burn injury can be devastating physically and emotionally, with access to quality care, support and resources, a person can survive and thrive after a burn injury and Mike's efforts will help us continue in that spirit,” says Amy Acton, Executive Director of The Phoenix-Society. “We are grateful to Shriners Hospitals for Children for hosting our kick-off and also appreciative of all the tremendous work they do to help burn survivors every day,” Acton said. Shriners Hospitals for Children-Boston is a 30-bed pediatric burn hospital, research and teaching center, and is one of three burn hospitals operated by the 22-hospital Shriners Hospitals for Children network. The Boston hospital treats children, regardless of ability to pay or insurance coverage, from Massachusetts and New England, as well from across the United States and more than 70 countries around the world.

As a firefighter and father of two young children ages 4 and 2, Mike has on his own decided to make this sacrifice and be away from his family for up to 7 weeks and also endure the wrath of whatever Mother Natures throws at him while he rides up to 140-miles per day.

Anyone wishing to help Mike and his worthwhile cause, can donate by logging on at www.phoenix-society.org or calling the Phoenix-Society at (800) 888-2876. Mike is also eager for anyone to join him during his journey and ride with him.

Mike also has his own exclusive blog at feeltheburn2007.blogspot.com which will track his journey, give location updates and include pictures and personal reflections from Mike as he pushes his body and spirit to the limit.

To interview Mike prior to his May 8th kick-off from Shriners Hospitals for Children in Boston, please call (401) 441-7823

Fire Engineering Coverage

Great coverage of Mike Manning and Feel the Burn 2007 in Fire Engineering Magazine's website and in their newsletter. Thank you.


Firefighters: We are trying to raise "300 from 330"!
$300 from each and every fire station to go to help burn survivors. Please contact the Phoenix Society or leave a comment on this post and we will get back to you ASAP to answer any questions.

UPDATED SCHEDULE (with details)

All - we have updated the schedule that was previously posted on this page. Please click HERE to get to the updated schedule. Thank you.

Burn Survivor Story: Volunteer Fireman Brad Johnson

(Courtesy of the Phoenix Society and Steve Lobel, author of "Recognition Beyond Burned: Portraits of Survival, Rebirth & Hope")

In September of 1991, a lightning strike at a crude-oil site caused volunteer fireman Brad Johnson to receive eighty-five percent third-degree burns. The road to recovery has been a long one, but now, with a little patience, he can do the regular, everyday things that give him a feeling of self-support. He hunts and goes fishing again and builds furniture. He has a positive attitude toward life. "Everything I hold dear happened after I was burned. I met my wife and have been married for eleven years and have four wonderful kids. My advice to others is to hold yourself high—it will project out to others. Anything can be done if you set your mind to it. Never give up," states Brad.

Photo - Mike Manning

Germantown, Ohio Firefighter Mike Manning with the bike he will ride across country for Feel the Burn 2007.

FDIC

I don't know where to start, so I'll just begin at the beginning.

The FDIC was fantastic. Bobby Halton and Fire Engineering put on an amazing FDIC this year with great exhibitors and keynote speakers. I found Bobby's "Semper Vigilante" speech inspiring as a firefighter and Phoenix Society advocate.

The people at Provident Insurance were awesome and I thank them for letting me and the "Zoo Crew" (Amy and Marvin) hang out with them. I can't wait to hang with them again when they hook up with me on PA's Rt. 6 in 3 weeks. Thank you Provident! http://www.providentbenefits.com/

Thank you Ron Siarnicki of the National Fallen Fire Fighters http://www.firehero.org/ for inviting us to his dinner on Thurs. night. A class act - what else can I say?

It was great to make so many contacts with FF's around the country who want to join in our efforts in raising burn survivor awareness, I thank all of you who stopped by the booth and those who donated to this great cause.

A big thanks to FDNY Ladder 27 Lt. Mike Wilbur for letting me crash in his room on Wed.

As I walked through the halls of the FDIC in my biking outfit (very different from everyone else's garb at the conference) I was looked at and stared at by many attendeees. Understandably because I was holding a bicycle and wearing spandex shorts. If I may be so bold to say: maybe this is a glimpse into what burn survivors endure everyday? However, I felt a special peace in being different from the masses.

Mike

2 Weeks to go!